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Articles
Tracking the headlines and events that reflect the business opportunities, infrastructure development, and unique nature of living in Goshen County, Wyoming.
Protecting our water - Seminar series addresses oil play's impact
January 26, 2011
While there are benefits to energy development in Goshen County, there are also several concerns. Among the top worries is water contamination from hydraulic fracturing. [MORE]
Incubator granted state funds
January 26, 2011
The development of a county business incubator is becoming closer to a reality. The Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) approved approximately $2 million in grants for the Wyoming Business Council's (WBC) Business Ready Community grant program at its Jan. 20 meeting. Among entities awarded grant money is the Goshen County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC), which now has nearly $500,000 to purchase and renovate the Goshen Enterprise Center located at 110 West 22nd Avenue in Torrington. [MORE]
Will we keep growing? - Census shows Wyoming population increases
December 30, 2010
During the past year, Wyoming has seen its fair share of ups and downs. The beginning of 2010 took a significant toll on the natural resources and mining industries, as their job figures dropped by 16 percent. [MORE]
Small Business Saturday
November 24, 2010
Move over, Black Friday. Take a seat, Cyber Monday. A new shopping experience called Small Business Saturday is sweeping over the country, and it's landed squarely on Main Street in Torrington. Merchants throughout the area are preparing for what they hope is a kick-start to the holiday shopping season. [MORE]
Banner names hospital CEO
November 24, 2010
Banner Health Western Region President Jim Ferando recently named Vincent DiFranco as the new chief executive officer for Community Hospital in Torrington. "We are pleased to have Vince join our Community Hospital Banner Health Team," Ferando said. "He is a seasoned professional with many years of experience in small and mid-sized hospitals throughout the southeast United States." [MORE]
Issues
Niobrara Oil Development
The Niobrara has the potential to be the industry's next large oil-shale resource play.
Documents
See news article, “The price of oil”
PRESENTATIONS:
Oil Exploration in Southeast WY
Drilling Permit Statistics
Environmental Considerations
Socio-Economic Impacts
Oil Refining Capacity
Call to Action: Citizen involvement in planning for community growth
Housing Forum
The objective of this Housing Forum was to examine the housing supply, affordability and quality to ensure that housing is available and affordable for families and individuals at all income levels.
GCEDC convened stakeholders and agencies to examine housing issues, clarify community goals and coordinate development of multiple housing policies and strategies to meet the goals. The Housing Forum held on May 21, 2009 was the first step.
HOUSING FORUM | DOCUMENTS | RESOURCES | LINKS
'Research, research, research' key in area oil agreements
November 10, 2010
According to Campbell County rancher and landowner Steve Barbour, those attending oil discussions and doing their research are on the right track. "Research, research, research before you sign those surface use agreements," Barbour told the audience at last week's oil panel discussion. Barbour has had experience with methane and coal production on his land. [MORE]
Quarter-cent tax passes
November 3, 2010
A little goes a long way in the eyes of Goshen County residents. About 56 percent voted "yes" to reinstate the quarter-cent tax, which was last renewed during the general election of 2006. The tax takes effect April 1, 2011. This tax, which supports the efforts of the Goshen County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) generated more than $885,000 from May 2007 to the end of June 30, 2009. Revenue averaged at roughly $30,000 per month, trickling down and generating increasingly smaller amounts of income until it finally tapered off in July of this year. [MORE]
Biz incubator takes new direction
September 24, 2010
Sometimes a problem can be solved when you look at it a different way. Lisa Johnson, executive director of the Goshen County Economic Development Corporation, is hoping this will be the case with the latest incarnation of the business incubator project. [MORE]
The price of oil
Sept 3rd, 2010 - Torrington Telegram
The more information circulating and communication established, the better Goshen County can be prepared for potential oil play, Sublette County officials said of their experience with their oil activity. The county officials, together with economic, environmental and energy experts, addressed a standing-room-only crowd at the Southeast Wyoming Oil Shale Seminar Wednesday in Torrington. [MORE]
Downtown business prospects looking up
Sept 3rd, 2010 - Torrington Telegram
As the national economy is still struggling to recover and with a possible oil boom on the horizon, business owners in Torrington are working to adapt and grow in an ever-changing business world. The Torrington Main Street Partnership and Community Builders, Inc. of Douglas recently released a baseline economic study during a public presentation outlining the present and helping analyze the future. [MORE]
SE Wyo recovering from the economic downturn – Goshen county is leading the way
August 1-15, 2010 – Wyoming Business Report
“Goshen County is bucking the trend a bit with respect to the economy,” Tom Johnson, Southeast Region director of the Wyoming Business Council, recently told the Wyoming Business Report. [MORE]
Optimism Outlines Job Market
Friday, April 26, 2010
The job market in Goshen County is looking brighter. For the second month in a row, the unemployment rate in the county held steady at 6.4 percent – well below the national average of 10.2 percent. [MORE]
GCEDC Elects New Directors
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Goshen County Economic Development Corp. held its annual membership meeting on Thursday, Oct. 22. There were 28 member organizations represented with 61 people in attendance. Wyoming State Senator Curt Meier and representatives from the office of U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, U.S. Senator John Barrasso and U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis were all in attendance as well. [MORE]
GCEDC Outlines Goals
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
At a recent strategic planning session, the board of Goshen County Economic Development Corp. established this vision for Goshen County: Goshen County, Wyoming attracts young professionals and families by offering varied employment and business opportunities, diverse recreational and cultural amenities, unique shopping, and overall appeal as a quality place to live. [MORE]
Goshen County awarded $3 Million
Friday, Sep 4th, 2009
Goshen County may soon enter phase I in planning for a new Torrington industrial park set to house Schlagel Manufacturing. There are only two more barriers to cross – approval from the State Lands and Investment Board and the Wyoming State Attorney General. The Wyoming Business Council awarded the county the necessary $3 million to get the project started Thursday afternoon as part of Business Ready Community – Business Committed grant. [MORE]
County 1/4 cent tax exceeds expectations
Wednesday, Jul 15th, 2009
Two years ago, Goshen County voters approved an optional 1/4 cent sales tax aimed at improving economic development. Goshen County was the first and only Wyoming county to approve the tax, which ended June 30. Total income from the tax as of July 1 stands at just over $800,000, while total expenditures are right around $30,000. [MORE]
WMCI on track for 2010 opening
Friday, June 12, 2009
The new Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution (WMCI) is not scheduled to open until February of next year, and there are many milestones to meet before the facility becomes functional. [MORE]
Local housing market fate unknown
Friday, May 22, 2009
The employment wave is coming, bringing with it a population increase that will not only boost to the local economy, but have a major impact on the housing market. [MORE]
Goshen County passed over for coal plant
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Goshen County’s low development costs weren’t enough to attract a University of Wyoming/GE Energy coal gasification plant, the county learned late last week. [MORE]
Business council to vote on $3M grant
Friday, Aug 28th, 2009
Goshen County, Goshen County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) and Schlagel Manufacturing are in the running for a $3 million grant that will be the kickoff for a new industrial business park in the Torrington area. [MORE]
Torrington Main Street on path to revitalization
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Torrington has $5,500 to spend on downtown improvements, and after attending a Main Street Program Conference earlier this month, several local officials and business owners have a good idea of how the downtown area might spend the funds. [MORE]
County a finalist for coal research plant
Thursday, Mar 5th, 2009
Goshen County has been named one of three final sites for a clean coal research facility that has been described as an economic boon not only for Wyoming, but for the county that houses it. Goshen, Laramie and Campbell counties have been chosen from a pool of 15 sites from around the state for the plant, which is a joint venture between the University of Wyoming and General Electric Co. [MORE]
City becomes an aspiring Main Street Community
Posted: Wednesday, Feb 4th, 2009
The Wyoming Main Street Program has selected Torrington as an entry-level community in its main street revitalization program. [More]
GCEDC holds final visioning meeting in Torrington
Posted: Friday, Dec 12th, 2008
The Goshen County Economic Development Corporation took some suggestions from
Torrington citizens Wednesday night on what they would like to see improved in
the local economy. [MORE]
Yoder residents discuss town’s future
Posted: Friday, Dec 5th, 2008
The latest in a series of meetings with the Goshen County Economic Development
Corporation focused on planning for the future and resources available for
the town of Yoder. [MORE]
GCEDC lays out current projects for city council
Wednesday, Dec 3rd, 2008
There’s a lot going on at Goshen County Economic Development Corp., and Executive Director Lisa Johnson … went before the Torrington City Council Tuesday night to give an update on GCEDC’s activities. Johnson said GCEDC has been working with several businesses that are considering relocating to Torrington. She has also been working with the adult daycare organization, which is looking at having a location in the new Lincoln Center, as well as with the county and school district on the Torrington Middle School gym project. [MORE]
LaGrange, GCEDC discuss future projects
Posted: Friday, Nov 28th, 2008
Increasing opportunities for local residents and preserving the beauty and
history of LaGrange are the town’s main priorities, according to a list made
by LaGrange residents and Goshen County Economic Development Corporation on
Monday night. [MORE]
GCEDC hears from Lingle residents
Posted: Friday, Nov 21st, 2008
Lingle residents and officials gathered together on Wednesday for the second
in a series of forums that the Goshen County Economic Development Corp. is
hosting around the county. [MORE]
GCEDC meets with Fort Laramie
Posted: Friday, Nov 14th, 2008
Goshen County Economic Development Corporation kicked off a series of county-wide
meetings on Nov. 10, 2008, in Fort Laramie. Lisa Johnson, executive director
of GCEDC, headed up the meeting and was joined by several members of the development
group and County Commissioner Ross Newman. [MORE]
Meeting affirms need for county gym
Friday, Nov 14th, 2008
Several Goshen County organizations, individuals and entities met Wednesday and agreed on one thing: the county needs the proposed county gymnasium and exercise rooms in the old Torrington Middle School. In a meeting held at the Goshen County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) office on Wednesday afternoon, attendees representing county and city organizations discussed possible funding sources for the (recreation center) project and a strategy to move things forward. [MORE]
Vote yes for lodging and penny taxes
Wednesday, Oct 29th, 2008
By Lisa Johnson, Executive director, Goshen County Economic Development Corp.
When people visit Goshen County, we want them to leave with a good impression,
and maybe they’ll come back again.
Two organizations working to improve the public perception of the communities
in Goshen County are the Goshen County Chamber of Commerce and the Goshen County
Economic Development Corporation. [MORE]
GCEDC reflects on year
Friday, Oct 17th, 2008
After a transitional 2007-2008 year, Goshen County Economic Development Corp. held its annual members meeting at the Bucking Horse restaurant Thursday to report on past accomplishments and goals for next year. [MORE]
Hawk Springs scores $300k for building
Friday, Oct 10th, 2008
With the approval on Thursday of a $300,000 State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) Community Facilities Grant, the Hawk Springs Community Building will be able to get the renovations needed to keep it functioning as a community gathering place. [MORE]
New
director settling in at GCEDC
Posted: Friday, Jun 6th, 2008
The Goshen County Economic Development Corporation cut the ribbon on their
new offices last week, and new Executive Director Lisa Johnson said she is
settling in well. [MORE]
Friday, Apr 4th, 2008
A recently released cost of living report for the fourth quarter of 2007 ranked Goshen County as one of the cheapest places to live in Wyoming. [MORE]
Wyoming offers many economic development incentives for businesses including excellent taxes and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs. View some of the recent economic news articles on Wyoming's excellent business climate:
- Which states love small business? Economic news article ranks Wyoming #3. Source: Fortune Small Business. View the story.
- Wyoming ranks #1 for business-friendly taxation. Source: Tax Foundation's 2008 State Business Tax Climate Index. View the story.
- Wyoming ranks sixth in nation for pro-business policies. Source: Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc. View the story.
- Wyoming ranks #1 for business-friendly taxation. Source: Tax Foundation's 2007 State Business Tax Climate Index. View the story.
- Wyoming seen as top state for pro-business taxes. Source: Reuters. View the story.
- Wyoming small business ranks number one in U.S. News & World Report. View the story.
- Pollina study ranks Wyoming fifth in the nation for pro-business policies. View the story.
- Wyoming ranks #1 for business-friendly taxation. Source: Tax Foundation’s 2006 State Business Tax Climate Index. View the story.
- Wyoming is the 3rd best state for small business and entrepreneurship in the country. Source: Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, 2006, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, 2005.
- Wyoming is tied for 1st in terms of economic vitality. Source: American City Business Journals 2005. View the story.
- Wyoming's Business Ready Communities Grant & Loan Program wins the silver in the 13th Annual Business Facilities Economic Development Awards 2005. View the story.